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Alexandre Dumas:THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK

Adapted by H.Q. Mitchell.

CHAPTER 1

ARAMIS STOOD AT THE WINDOW OF HIS APARTMENT ANDWATCHED as the Duchess, Madame de Chevreuse, stepped outof her carriage. The Duchess had sent a letter to Aramis a fewdays earlier, informing him that she had a very important matter todiscuss with him. She claimed to have certain documents in herpossession which could be very harmful to one of his closestfriends.

Aramis had met the Duchess several years before, when he was amusketeer serving in the Queen's guard. He knew that she was acunning and manipulative woman; he also knew that she had lostthe support of the royal family and that she was very close to

bankruptcy. Whatever Madame de Chevreuse wanted to discuss,it definitely had something to do with money.The Duchess knocked on the door and Aramis walked slowlyacross the room to open it."Good day, my dear Duchess," he said with a smile."How do you do, my dear Aramis," replied Madame de Chevreuse."It's been a long time," said Aramis as he led the Duchess to thesitting room."Too long," said the Duchess. "I hear you are the Bishop ofVannes now."

Aramis laughed lightly. "Yes. My musketeer days are long gone."Aramis offered the Duchess some tea and asked her about herfamily."My children are fine, I suppose," said the Duchess. "They don'tspeak to me any more, not since they took practically everything Iown, including my home.""How terrible, dear Duchess," said Aramis.

"Terrible indeed," said the Duchess. "Actually, Aramis, that'swhy I've come to see you today.""Oh really?" said Aramis, raising an eyebrow."The truth is that I am in serious debt, and as a result I havebeen forced to turn to questionable means to earn a living..."

The Duchess waited for Aramis to respond, but he saidnothing.

She cleared her throat and continued: "Anyway, I haveacquired some important papers from Monsieur Jean-BaptisteColbert, the King's adviser. The papers prove that MonsieurNicolas Fouquet, the King's trusted treasurer, has beenstealing money from the State - 30 million francs to be exact. Iknow that you and Fouquet are friends, and I'm sure you'd liketo protect his reputation... So I'll give you the papers for fivehundred thousand francs."

"Five hundred thousand francs!" exclaimed Aramis. "You wantme to buy the papers from you for five hundred thousandfrancs? Madame, I'm afraid you have wasted your timecoming here today. In the first place, we all know that Colbertis a weasel who will stop at nothing to harm Fouquet in orderto take his place as treasurer. And secondly, Fouquet is anhonourable man who would never steal from the State, so I'mquite sure the papers you have are false."The Duchess looked annoyed. "You won't buy the papersthen?"

"Absolutely not.""I see. Then, perhaps I should speak to the Queen Mother; I'msure I can persuade her to help me out.""I strongly doubt that," said Aramis."Do not underestimate me, Aramis," said the Duchess. "TheQueen Mother and I used to be best friends - we may havehad our differences in the past, but I'm quite capable ofwinning her over again."

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"Well then, perhaps you should be on your way," said Aramisthrough his teeth.The Duchess glared at Aramis and got up to leave. The Bishopshowed her to the door and then slammed it shut behind her.But Aramis wasn't really angry with the Duchess; in fact, he was

grateful to her. Her greed had given him an opportunity to set hisown plan in motion - a plan that would benefit all of France. Aramisdecided to pay Nicolas Fouquet a visit as soon as possible.

"Oh, the pain!" said the Queen Mother as she lay on her bedholding herchest. Her lady-in-waiting, Madame de Motteville, was sittinganxiously at her bedside. "I think I'm having another attack,"groaned the Queen Mother.Madame de Motteville frowned. "Your Majesty, do you rememberwhen you first started experiencing these pains?" she asked.

"Yes," said the Queen Mother with a sigh. "It was on the fifth ofSeptember, twenty-three years ago.Madame de Motteville looked puzzled. "But that's the day yourMajesty gave birth to a son, a glorious son named Louis, who isnow the ruler of our land."The Queen Mother cried out and then buried her face in herhands. "Yes... that was a day of great joy, followed by greatsorrow... Oh, the pain!"Just then, the two women heard a knock at the door."The remedy!" cried Madame de Motteville, jumping up excitedly.

"What remedy?" asked the Queen Mother."Oh, I met a nun at the market yesterday who was selling herbalmedicines -1 told her that you suffer from nervous attacks," saidMadame de Motteville. "The nun said that she had a specialremedy that might help you and she offered to come see youtoday."

The Queen Mother frowned. "All right, let her in," she said.

Madame de Motteville opened the door and a masked womanentered the room."Your Majesty," said the woman as she bowed her headslightly.The Queen Mother looked surprised. "Why are you wearing

that mask?" she asked."All will be revealed soon, your Majesty," said the nun. "But,first, I would like to talk to you in private."The masked woman glanced at Madame de Motteville, who,in turn, glanced at the Queen Mother. The Queen Motherhesitated for a moment, then reluctantly sent away her lady-in-waiting."Your Majesty, you will be happy to know that your illness canbe cured very easily," said the nun."That's good to hear," said the Queen Mother."I know that your nervous attacks began when your son, the

King, was born...""Yes...""And I know that there is a secret surrounding the birth of yourson..." The nun paused for a moment. "It's a secret very fewpeople know... On that day, twenty-three years ago, you gavebirth not to one son, but two -identical twins named Louis andPhilippe!"The Queen Mother looked horrified. She started to speak butthe nun held up her hand."Let me finish," she said. "When the King heard the news, he

was amazed. He was concerned that having two heirs to thethrone would only lead to trouble for France. His exact wordswere: 'One prince is peace an safety for the State; twocompetitors are civil war and anarchy!' So one so: becameKing and the other was hidden away... Your Majesty, it is myopinion that your nervous attacks are caused by your guilt!"The Queen Mother's face was as pale as death. "How do youknow all this?" she whispered.

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"Because, old friend, I was there!" said the Duchess as sheremoved her mask.The Queen Mother gasped. "Madame de Chevreuse!"

"Yes... And I am the only person who knows your secret, besides!

Aramis."The Queen Mother felt an enormous wave of relief. "It's beenyears since we last saw each other," she said as she embracedher friend. "But why the disguise?""Well, I didn't think you'd agree to see me otherwise..." said theDuchess. "Our friendship must not mean very much to you... Youheard that I lost everything but you have done nothing to help."The Queen Mother nodded. "It was wrong of me to neglect you,"she said. "I'm sorry.""So how is Philippe?" asked the Duchess. "The last time I sawhim, he was at Noisy-le-Sec with his tutor."

The Queen Mother paused for a moment. She knew that theDuchess was planning something, but wasn't quite sure what. Shedecided that il would be better not to tell the Duchess that her sonwas locked up in jail "Philippe is dead," she lied. "He died of fevera few years ago.""He's dead?" the Duchess exclaimed. The news truly shocked hercould she still go ahead with her plan to blackmail the QueenMother now?"Yes, I'm afraid so.""I am so sorry to hear that, old friend," said the Duchess, as shekneelec before the Queen Mother and kissed her hand. "Pleaseknow that I an your most faithful and loyal servant and that yoursecret will always be safe with me."The Queen Mother sighed. "Thank you," she said."Your Majesty..." said the Duchess. "I hate to do this, but as youknow I am in a difficult financial position at the moment."How much money do you need?" asked the Queen Mother.

"Perhaps you could lend me five hundred thousand francs? Iwil definitely pay you back when I can.""Fine," said the Queen Mother. She signed an order for fivehundrec thousand francs and handed it to the Duchess."Oh, thank you, your Majesty," said the Duchess. The two

women talked briefly and then the Duchess left, happilyclutching the order in he: greedy little hands.

CHAPTER 2HELLO, ARAMIS! It's so good to see you again!" said Fouquet as

Aramis walked into his office. "Hello, Nicolas," said Aramis."Yes, it's good to see you again, too.""So what brings you here today?" asked the treasurer."I thought you might want to know who came to visit meyesterday," said Aramis as he sat down on a chair oppositeFouquet.

Fouquet looked at Aramis curiously. "Who came to visit you?"he asked."Madame de Chevreuse.""The old Duchess? Was it perhaps her ghost you saw?" saidFouquet with a laugh."No, it was the Duchess herself," Aramis replied."What did she want?"She told me that she has some documents which prove thatyou've stolen 30 million francs from the State.Fouquet gasped. "What? That's an outrageous lie! Where didshe get those papers?"

"She said that she got them from Colbert; as you know, thosetwo have been good friends for years," said Aramis. "It lookslike Colbert is determined to ruin your good name."Fouquet removed a handkerchief from his pocket and wipedhis forehead. "Good gracious," he murmured. "I know hewants to take over my position as treasurer, but I never

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thought he was capable of something like this... What will happenif he shows those false papers to the King?""I'm sure he will," said Aramis. "But I have a solution to yourtroubles, if you're interested."Of course! What do you suggest I do?"

"Well, now that your country estate, Vaux, has just beenrenovated...""And I must thank you for overseeing the entire project," Fouqueinterrupted. "You did a remarkable job.""My pleasure, Nicolas," said Aramis. "Anyway, I think Vaux wouldb the perfect place for an extravagant party in the King's honour. Itreally isj the only way to get the King on your side."Fouquet considered this for a moment. "But a party at Vaux couldcost up to 20 million francs. I haven't got that kind of money tospare.""Don't worry about that," said Aramis. "I'll lend you the money."

Fouquet's eyes brightened. "You will? You truly are a good friend,Aramis."Aramis smiled. "Just make sure the party is as extravagant aspossible; it takes a lot to impress Louis.""Yes, yes. You're right about that," said Fouquet. "I'll startarranging everything immediately.""Very good, Nicolas. Anyway, I must go now, but I'll see you againin a few days.""Yes, and thank you again, Aramis!" said Fouquet as the Bishopclosed the door behind him.That evening, Aramis's trusted friends and former musketeers,Portho and Athos, arrived at Aramis's apartment for dinner. Asthey dined, they talked about Athos's farm and Porthos's variousbusiness ventures, then the conversation turned to the party atVaux."D'Artagnan told me that Fouquet is planning a party for the Kingal

Vaux," said Athos. "Are you going to go, Aramis?""My my, news does travel fast," said Aramis as he took a sipof water. "Yes, I am going to the party... So how is our oldfriend, D'Artagnan?""He's very well," said Porthos. He's just been promoted to

Captain of the Musketeers."Aramis smiled and nodded. "So I heard," he said."I'm glad I'm no longer a musketeer," said Athos. "I couldnever serve under a king as selfish and arrogant as LouisXIV.""Me neither!" said Porthos as he bit into a chicken leg."Yes," Aramis agreed. "France is certainly in need of a newking - a wise and noble man who will put the needs of hispeople before his own.""Sounds like you have someone in mind..." said Athos

jokingly.

"Actually," Aramis replied, "I do."

Athos and Porthos stopped eating and stared at Aramis insurprise."What do you mean? Are you planning something, Aramis?"asked Athos."Yes, I am... But, as you both know, I only ever do things forthe good of France," said the Bishop. "So what do you say,are you two willing to help me?"

Athos shook his head. "I'm afraid you'll have to count me out,old friend. I hung up my musket a long time ago...""What about you, Porthos?" asked Aramis."Absolutely!" said Porthos. "All for one and one for all, it's therule I live by!"

Aramis smiled. "Well, then... listen carefully..."

The next day, Aramis paid a visit to his old friend Baisemeaux,who was governor of the Bastille, a prison in Paris. Aramis

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convinced the governor that he had been sent to hear theconfession of one of the prisoners, a young man named"Marchiali". Only Aramis knew that the unfortunate prisoner's realname was Philippe. Baisemeaux led the Bishop to the prisoner'scell, and unlocked the door.

"Will you let me hear his confession in private?" asked Aramis.Baisemeaux nodded. Aramis walked into the cell and Baisemeauxclosed the door behind him. The cell was dark, but Aramis couldsee the figure of a young man lying on the bed."Who are you? What do you want?" asked the young man."I have come to hear your confession," Aramis replied."I do not wish to confess anything," said the young man."In that case," said Aramis, "I will confess something to you."The young man sat up and stared at Aramis. "You look familiar,"he said. "What's your name?""I am Aramis, the Bishop of Vannes. You are correct, Philippe, we

have met before... Many years ago when you were a young boyliving at Noisy-le-Sec with your nurse, Perronnette, and your tutor,Monsieur La Porte."The young man's eyes lit up as memories of a happier time cameback to him. "That's right! You used to come and visit me with the...uh... well-dressed lady of the court," said Philippe."Do you know who that woman was?" asked Aramis."I didn't know who she was until I found a letter she had written toPerronnette. In the letter, she told Perronnette to take good care ofme, and she signed it 'Anne of Austria'. It was then thatPerronnette confirmed that my mother was the Queen ofFrance..."That must have been quite a shock," said Aramis. "Whathappened next?""Perronnette and Monsieur La Porte felt obliged to tell the Queenthathad found the letter... " Philippe's eyes darkened. "And then, myown

mother put me here in the Bastille. I never saw Perronnette orMonsieur LaPorte again... Aramis, if I had known the consequences ofreading thatletter, I would never have told anyone about it."

Aramis sighed. "It is a tragic story indeed," he said.

"So what did you come to confess?" asked Philippe."You do not know the whole story, Philippe; you don't knowthe reason| why you are in this prison.""Well then, tell me," said the young man."Perhaps I should show you instead," said Aramis. "I knowyou did grow up with mirrors in your house, and I'm quite sureyou've seer portraits of the King. Here..." Aramis handedPhilippe a mirror and the young man looked at his reflection."Why, it is like looking at the King himself!" the young man

exclaimedJ"Exactly. You are the King's identical twin," said Aramis. "Yourparents) were afraid that you and your brother would fightover the throne, so of you had to be hidden away from theworld."Philippe placed the mirror on a table and sighed. "Now I knowthat will never be set free..." he murmured."On the contrary," said Aramis. "You will be set free, Philippe,becaus I believe that you have a purer heart than your brotherand that it is your destiny to rule France.""That's madness, Aramis!" Philippe exclaimed. "I will never beable tol escape from this prison! And how can I possibly takemy brother's place?] He will fight me to the death... No, mydestiny is to be a prisoner, sir."

Aramis lowered his voice. "Philippe, listen to me. I can helpyou escape from here. And I can arrange for your brother totake your place. Louis iq arrogant and selfish and I know that

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you are noble and good. You shouk be on the throne, you areFrance's only hope!"Philippe remained silent. "I will return in a few days. In themeantime,] think about what I have said."

Aramis bent down on one knee and kissed Philippe's hand. "Your

Majesty," he said.A guard opened the door a minute later, and Aramis left the youngman| to his thoughts.

CHAPTER 3THREE DAYS LATER, ARAMIS RETURNED TO FoUQUET'sOFFICE find the treasurer in a frantic state. "Oh, Aramis, I'm gladyou^ here," said Fouquet when he saw the Bishop at the door."The pai is three days away and I still have so much to do!""You worry too much, Nicolas," said Aramis. "I'm sure the party bea great success!"

Fouquet removed his glasses and rubbed the lenses furiously withcloth. "There's something else we need to discuss, dear Aramis,"he begaj "The.. .uh.. .money you promised me... When do youthink you'll be al to give it to me?""I'll only be able to give it to you the day after the King arrives atVai Aramis replied.Fouquet put his glasses on and stared at Aramis."You doubt that I keep my promises?" asked the Bishop."Uh... No, no, it's not that," Fouquet mumbled. "It's just that I've h